Kirkintilloch Rob Roy boss Stewart Maxwell bitterly disappointed with Benburb defeat

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy boss Stewart Maxwell cut a frustrated figure as he watched his side lose their West of Scotland Football League opener at Benburb.
Rob Roy lost their opening match of the season at Benburb (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)Rob Roy lost their opening match of the season at Benburb (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)
Rob Roy lost their opening match of the season at Benburb (pic: Adrian Foster-Western)

The Rabs boss says his side were punished for not making the most of their first-half superiority at New Tinto Park.

A scrappy Evan Lowdon goal just before the break was enough to give Benburb the victory, much to Maxwell’s disappointment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “We played really well for the first 35 minutes. We dominated but never scored.

“We then lost the scrappiest goal right on half-time when the ball hit off our defender and rolled over the line to give them a goal out of nothing when we were the better team.

“In the second half, we were into a howling wind in 80 degrees on the astro and we just didn’t play.

“I-m bitterly disappointed we never took at least a draw out of the game, and I probably would have been disappointed with that

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve lost another tight game because we just don’t score when we’re on top and it’s come back to bite us.

“There were a lot of positives, and we worked really hard, but you need to win games.

“We played well for 35 minutes. We were really solid and defended well, but after we lost a terrible goal, they had something to defend in the second half.

“Even though we didn't play well in the second half football-wise, we still had one cleared off the line and their keeper had a great save.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We put a lot of effort in but without any reward unfortunately."

“To give Benburb credit, they battled and took an ugly 1-0 win and got the three points, which is what it’s all about.”

Rabs have little time to dwell on their disappointment, however, with a tough home double-header coming up against Auchinleck Talbot tonight and Clydebank on Saturday.

“We’ve told them the disappointment doesn’t last long because the champions roll into town,” said Maxwell.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They're a top side, and they’ll battle just as hard as Benburb but with more quality about them.

“It’s another learning curve and we’re not expected to take anything from the game, but with a young team you never know.”

Related topics: